Services – Schneider Electric Bloghttps://blog.schneider-electric.com
Global Specialist in Energy Management and Automation
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1 Safety in any step of the wayhttps://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/03/20/safety-in-any-step-of-the-way/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/03/20/safety-in-any-step-of-the-way/#respondWed, 20 Mar 2019 15:17:22 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=55661In Europe, we have more than 2400 Field Services Representatives working at customer’ site every day, that means they face hundreds of different situations that could include dangerous procedures. That’s... Read more »

]]>In Europe, we have more than 2400 Field Services Representatives working at customer’ site every day, that means they face hundreds of different situations that could include dangerous procedures. That’s why, at Schneider Electric, Safety is our first priority, not only for our people in the field, but also for any of our workers and, of course, our customers.

Lock Out Tag Out (L.O.T.O)

To protect ourselves and perform work in an Electrical safe condition, we must fully understand and follow all the steps of the LOTO process; the seven steps of Lock Out Tag Out safety:

Prepare

Shut down the load

Disconnect the sources of energy

Lock

Verify

Ground

Protect adjacent conductors

Following all the steps is highly important; at the end of the job Schneider Electrics’ person in charge sign off that steps from 1 to 7 are completed. Then, the customer representative signs to confirm that all the steps have been followed.

S.A.F.E. First

We understand that achieving a safe environment depends on external factors but also on us as individuals. So, S.A.F.E is the mantra that reminds us to stay always focus and alert going through these four important steps:

Those are steps that are not only recommended in the field while working with critical equipment, but this is also something we could do anytime, anywhere to make sure that what we are going to do we’ll do it in the safest way.

The S.A.F.E culture is also in our customer’s sites

Making sure we are S.A.F.E is more than following a list of steps, is in our DNA. That’s why we want to engage our customers to join us in being S.A.F.E in their workplace with our electrical safety services. Thanks to our experts on functional safety, standards, and regulatory compliance, we ensure support throughout the safety lifecycle, wherever and whenever it’s needed. Operating more safely minimizes threats and increases uptime, therefore the risk of reputation damage is avoided.

Learn how to achieve the zero accident status with our electrical safety training. Detect any knowledge gap and take the appropriate electrical safety training course.

As the pace of change accelerates, organizations face increasing complexities in energy and resource management. They must balance their aspirations to lead competitively and responsibly with the reality of their operational and financial constraints.

Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) is emerging as an innovative approach to meet both sets of priorities. EaaS provides the benefits of the energy transition while simultaneously reducing the potential cost of entry, enabling more organizations to make progress toward their energy and sustainability goals.

A flexible, responsive model for energy management

EaaS fundamentally changes how organizations think about energy management and procurement. While there is no single definition, EaaS solutions typically utilize a variety of energy elements, ranging from metering systems to microgrids to distributed energy resources (DERs) to waste heat recovery and beyond. Each of these potential components reflect the evolution of energy from rigid and centralized to flexible and responsive. These solutions are adaptable, variable and modular in ways that the centralized management of energy and energy-dispatching technologies are not.

Recent research from Schneider Electric and GreenBiz shows that growth of DERs averages 11% YoY.

Under an EaaS model, organizations partner with solution providers, like Schneider Electric, to actively oversee the company’s energy portfolio and provide upfront capital and long term asset ownership. Typically, the solution provider delivers energy management services with a corresponding performance expectations which reduces risk for end users. These services are customized for each client to achieve predefined outcomes —such as system resilience, meeting sustainability goals — and commonly result in reduced performance risk and decreased capital burden.

A new way to overcome the “ambition gap”

The direct benefit of EaaS is the use of innovative capital structures such as advanced power purchase agreements (PPAs), leases and performance contracts to avoid CAPEX investment. As a result, the energy services agreement protects cash flow and can even generate new revenue streams.

This potential revenue, or savings, can then be deployed against other energy and sustainability projects, which may have previously foundered failed without adequate capital. Organizations may also choose to reinvest the financial upside into other business priorities, such as new equipment, or boosted margin performance.

This “financial enablem” allows organizations to meet and overcome a critical hurdle: the ambition gap created by a desire to achieve more with energy and sustainability while facing an increasing number of constraints. For many organizations, this ambition gap becomes a significant barrier to reaching optimal financial and operational performance. Using EaaS, organizations can proactively shrink the gap and more readily achieve their goals, often with little to no up-front investment or balance sheet liability.

At the edge of energy and innovation

Schneider Electric was named the leading EaaS provider for the commercial and industrial market in a recent report by global research firm Navigant. This recognition is thanks in part to our holistic Active Energy Management (AEM) framework. AEM integrates a broad portfolio of solutions across energy supply, sustainability, DERs and resource efficiency, enabled by a suite of advisory services and software. It allows us to exercise innovation to meet our clients’ needs, providing flexibility in technology, funding source and operational risk.

A recent example of AEM in action: A global steel producer in Europe had the opportunity to realize energy savings by investing in more efficient equipment. However, the company was constrained financially and unable to move forward based on CAPEX alone. Using an EaaS model, Schneider Electric was able to design a waste heat recovery program for the company that resulted in energy savings and carbon reduction without increasing its long-term liabilities. This in turn has allowed the producer to set more aggressive energy and sustainability goals.

Another example, Montgomery County, MD, with over 1 million people, 9,000 employees and 400 buildings has achieved carbon neutrality, but sought more directed efficiency through renewables and microgrids. By working with Schneider Electric to install two advanced microgrids, the county increased resilience, upgraded their aging electrical infrastructure, and enhanced sustainability—all without any upfront capital investment. The two microgrids are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,800 metric tons each year, which translates to removing over 1,400 cars off the road or planting 178,000 trees. This forward-thinking county has offered up a model that could bring microgrid benefits to many other communities nationwide.

EaaS is still emerging, but Schneider Electric is proud to be leading at the edge. As the energy market advances and organizations need more ways to bridge the ambition gap, we will continue to provide versatile, holistic and digital services that meet their needs.

]]>In my previous posts, we looked at the Smart Building concept and discussed digitisation strategies. In this, the last post of my series, we will look at sustainable digitisation journeys for old and new facilities alike.

The growing role of IT in Facility Management

With the growth of Smart Buildings, it is no surprise that Facility Managers today are expected to be more IT-savvy. This poses several interesting challenges to the role of the Facility Manager. Firstly, the vast amounts of data generated is far too much to consume and understand with a siloed work approach and without tools and applications to assist. The integration of multiple systems provides predictive operational capability, reduces administrative tasks through automated reporting and alarming, and ultimately requires a quick transition from the aforementioned siloed mindset into a system-oriented approach. This is not the future – it’s today, and thereby creates a need to urgently train and upskill existing personnel. Furthermore, the challenges of security through connected systems, particularly when leveraging cloud-based services, requires an unprecedented level of network and cybersecurity awareness. Hence, the Facility Manager becomes key to the digital strategy, and the associated success in adoption.

Implementation in Older Facilities

IT networks form the backbone of any Smart Building. For older facilities, transitions to systems on an IP network may provide challenges, particularly around establishment of the physical infrastructure. Wireless network architectures may be more favourable to avoid disruptions in operations, but will also be constrained by the network reach and space layouts that could cause connectivity challenges. Multiple IT networks may also be required to securely host an array of systems.

Choice of the IT networks in older facilities also depends on the capabilities of the associated hardware generating data and controlling the building. Today, most high-end BMS have some form of wired IP-capability, with wireless controllers gradually appearing. However, advanced Smart Building technology like Space Utilisation solutions employ wireless sensors (e.g. LoRa, Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, Zigbee). Therefore, depending on the level of investment and size of the facility, owners may wish to diversify the variety of IT infrastructure available.

Implementation in New Facilities

While newer facilities have greater flexibility over choice of IT infrastructure and technology, greater care should be taken that investment made does not get outdated within a short period of time. Moore’s law may be slowing down [1], but innovation isn’t, with networks becoming faster, and the cloud expanding in terms of both storage and analytical capabilities. Therefore, new facility owners need technologies that compliment business operations. It is crucial that buildings and systems are designed to suit their businesses and not the other way around. Bearing that in mind, network designers are best poised to provide a variety of IT infrastructure.

Equipping the facility with a basic array of environmental and occupancy sensors helps keep up with industry trends and evolving employee expectations. Small design implementations, like enabling expansion capabilities through a range of network ports, and widespread power outlets can have a huge impact on technologies invested in the future, and the costs associated with implementing the same. Maximising IoT devices and cloud connectivity further helps ensure a continuous assessment of operations, analyse cross-system data, and ultimately streamline building performance to improve occupier experience and comfort.

The Realistic Approach to Technology Investments

What do you do if your facilities have a mix old and new buildings? Most organisations are under a constant pressure on available funds, while being pressed to improve performance and enhance occupant experience. What is the realistic approach to technology investments in such cases?

Consider the case of Swansea University. The old campus was on an outdated BMS with limited analytical capabilities and integration with the power infrastructure. The new facility was designed with the latest high-performance BMS and Power infrastructure, sitting an IoT platform that could bring together multiple systems under a single architecture. What this system also allowed was the integration of operations of legacy and modern assets across the two campuses. Furthermore, an upgrade strategy for the older site was put in place that enabled the facility managers. Given the high levels of compatibility and the bespoke, modular nature of the new system, the upgrade or complete replacement of the legacy infrastructure can be done in parts and aligned with budget and planning cycles, as opposed to a one-off, costly investment. Swansea University represents a well-thought-out upgrade strategy for an older facility – read more about it here.

A Sustainable Path for Smart Buildings

Smart Buildings underpin the future of an energy-efficient economy. Facility Managers and Building Owners should note that a digital ecosystem is in the present. A lack of action today is only cause for pain tomorrow. Ultimately, Smart Buildings are not a pocket-draining investment – if done the right way with a clear vision, returns far outweigh costs.

]]>Managing a global infrastructure portfolio of new build-outs, ongoing services and modernization efforts is no small feat. But a thoughtful CapEx (Capital Expense) to OpEx (Operating Expense) program can alleviate budget constraints — and allow you to focus on your core business.

I recently led a panel at the 2018 Innovation Summit Session in Atlanta called “Unlocking the Value of Your Assets: Shifting Investment from CapEx to OpEx,” where we discussed the rising shift in investment strategy from CapEx to OpEx for a host of investments. Below I’ll offer a high-level overview of the presentation, share three key trends we’ve observed in its transition and apply these findings to the case of aging switchgear.

Defining “CapEx” and “OpEx”

For purposes of this discussion, we’ll forgo the FASB accounting definitions and talk about these terms more practically. Here, “CapEx” refers to capital outlays and typically a major and rigid process for investment. Conversely, “OpEx,” or capital outflows, are associated with a more flexible process for investment. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift from this inflexible investment process to one which is much more adaptable. Why the change?

Technology as an enabler:
Strong trend from CapEx to OpEx in IT

When we think of the origins marking the shift from CapEx to OpEx, the IT industry likely comes to mind with the rise of the cloud. Companies no longer needed to buy physical assets upfront, whether that was servers, racks or other hardware. Instead, they could use that capital to derive potential savings and benefits, whether that was having more controlled expenses or freeing up capital to be invested in other business areas. However, CapEx to OpEx is not just an IT phenomenon.

Using CapEx to OpEx to achieve simple and lower-cost switchgear

At Schneider Electric, we see this investment shift cutting across industries. And with this, we’ve seen rise of three separate, but related trends related to CapEx to OpEx, either driving that shift or driven by it. They are:

The rise of “as a service” models,

The move toward innovation in modernization vs. replacement of certain assets; and

The trend to more flexible financing options for various types of projects.

For the purposes of this post, we’ll focus on the second trend: a move toward modernization solutions rather than the replacement of certain assets using the example of switchgear. Instead of choosing to replace aging switchgear, modernization solutions take from 15 minutes to a few hours to install and can standardize a facility’s switchgear to modern standards. The solutions are not only easy to maintain, but also require fewer resources and can be less costly. The biggest benefit, of course, is that reliability and safety of the power distribution system can improve as the risks associated with unplanned outages and aging equipment decline. So how do modernization solutions work?

Direct Replacement circuit breakers for existing switchgear

Replacement and retrofill low voltage and medium voltage solutions adapt the latest-technology circuit breakers into your existing OEM-built switchgear or switchboard cell. This enables an upgrade of the active components without affecting the cables in most cases — and taking on the risk and challenge of an outage replacement. Cost savings may occur immediately and include: lowered maintenance requirements across switchgear equipment (since all solutions operate and rack in the same way regardless of installed equipment brand), fewer spare-parts inventory and less inventory management (because there’s only one set of spare parts for all frame sizes, regardless of how many OEMs’ breakers are replaced), streamlined after-sales vendor management and finally, standard and modernized capabilities across switchgear.

Switchgear modernization is a boon for facility owners with aging and or mixed-OEM electrical distribution equipment. By using a replacement strategy rather than costly rip-and-replace, facilities can upgrade to the latest technology at lower costs. This is because modernization solutions enable the end customer to pull from (OpEx) budget dollars – they don’t have to go through the whole (CapEx) allocation process that they might have had to undertake with a rip-and-replace strategy. Modernization solutions are flexible with the option to customize for any need, and offer an easy path to standardized, streamlined maintenance over the long term. It’s truly a win-win: costs drop while safety and reliability may improve.

Switchgear modernization is just one example of using a CapEx to OpEx investment strategy to achieve greater utilization, value and flexibility in your core businesses. I encourage you to replay the Innovation Summit session for a deeper dive into the insights and perspectives of CapEx to OpEx programs shared by panelists representing companies from a variety of industries, including JLL, ArcelorMittal, Kyotherm and Outlier Energy. Their comments provide real-life examples addressing the “why,” the “what” and the “how”: why we’re seeing this shift in investment strategy, what their organizations have done about it and how they’ve gone about their approach.

And finally, when we talk about the rise in the trend from CapEx to OpEx, it’s not always the flashiest reason, but the practical reality is that sometimes it’s just the path of least resistance. Not having a pool of dedicated money upfront can be the impetus to make things go a little bit faster.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/03/04/shifting-investments-capex-vs-opex/feed/0Innovative services contributing to a circular businesshttps://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/02/14/innovative-services-contributing-to-a-circular-business/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/02/14/innovative-services-contributing-to-a-circular-business/#respondThu, 14 Feb 2019 11:27:00 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=54700We cannot keep doing things the same way: we must move from linear to a circular economic model. Or what is the same, stop with the “take, make, consume and... Read more »

]]>We cannot keep doing things the same way: we must move from linear to a circular economic model. Or what is the same, stop with the “take, make, consume and thrown away” and start a zero-waste process.

“The world is running out of energy resources”; we hear that speech almost every day, and the most concerning part is that it’s true. The World Business for Sustainable Development predicts that the total demand for resources will reach 130 billion tons by 2050 from the 50 billion tons level in 2014. Over the last years, an Environment Action Program (EAP) has been launched by the European Union, as part of its environmental policy. The current step named “Living well, within the limits of our planet”, approved in November 2013, covers the period up to 2020 and has a special focus on turning waste into a resource, with the aim of guiding consumers to re-use and recycling.

Services as an important part of circularity

What is clear is that moving towards a circular economic model requires a tremendous shift in thinking, away from the sole focus on the financial implications of Business to one that considers long-term sustainability. This “cradle-to-cradle” concept can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling. Then it’s when services become relevant so we can ensure a healthy and long asset lifecycle, therefore the product doesn’t breakdown and then there is no other option either that change it for a new one to keep the business running

Schneider Electric and Circular Economy

For instance, Schneider Electric has won a global award for its contribution to the circular economy, which, in part, comes because of our Ecofit program. This service helps customers extend old electrical equipment life as well as to upgrade it to the latest technology thanks to a global network of refurbishment centers for low and medium-voltage equipment circuit-breakers and UPS-es. Additional services exist to take-back and treat batteries and medium-voltage equipment at the end-of-life.

Retrofit solutions are good for the planet and for our customers since using fewer resources they can have more productivity. As a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy 100 program, Schneider Electric is committed to finding innovative ways to rethink the product design process, the business model and services, based on durability, renewability, reuse, repair, etc. Learn more about the foundation and how they work to establish the circular economy on the agenda of decision-makers across business, government, and academia.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/02/14/innovative-services-contributing-to-a-circular-business/feed/0Where is the Evidence that Digitization is Indeed Working?https://blog.schneider-electric.com/building-management/2019/02/12/where-is-the-evidence-that-digitization-is-indeed-working/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/building-management/2019/02/12/where-is-the-evidence-that-digitization-is-indeed-working/#respondTue, 12 Feb 2019 18:28:04 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=54691Digital transformation is changing the way we live, work and play. It is pervasive – from our homes to entire cities; from our workplaces to industry; and from our communication... Read more »

]]>Digital transformation is changing the way we live, work and play. It is pervasive – from our homes to entire cities; from our workplaces to industry; and from our communication devices to our mode of transportation. And we – both people and organizations – are benefiting from it considerably. More on the benefits later.

First, let’s look at two major areas of digitization – energy management and automation.

Human life and progress on Earth is heavily dependent on both energy and automation – making us more efficient, reliable, safe and sustainable. Through digitization we can scale human capability to unprecedented levels.

However, do we know that this transformation has humanity progressing along the right trajectory? Where are the tangible results of digitization?

Among the key findings of the report is the dismissal of the myth that digital transformation is an expensive upfront prospect – especially where CapEx is concerned. Our study shows that digitization allows for faster and easier integration of systems and equipment. In addition, new data enables intelligent maintenance which, in turn, increases the longevity of assets.

Wide Bay Water Corporation runs the state-of-the-art Nikenbah wastewater treatment plant in Queensland, Australia. Population growth and aging infrastructure were putting pressure on the corporation to expand and modernize its systems. Turning to EcoStruxure to drive their digital transformation, the corporation could cut project costs. These savings were made possible by speeding engineering integration times by 20%, and shortening commissioning times by 25%.

Real-time operations visibility

The report also uncovered evidence that digital transformation is helping businesses and organizations better manage OpEx. This is primarily through deep, real-time visibility into operational technology. Asset performance is key. Energy savings, foundational. Such intelligence, coupled with informed and timely actions, transforms productivity.

With a central dashboard, businesses can now easily locate and execute performance enhancements. The results here attest to these capabilities — Schneider Electric customers have reduced energy consumption by as much as 85 percent.

Digital transformation works – The Global Digital Transformation Benefits Report 2019 stands testament to that, offering more insights and proof. In this report, we have shared a total of 34 case studies, which include the two examples I have presented in this blog. These case studies–supported by well researched numbers around Capex, Opex, Business and Environmental efficiencies–offer a window into how digital transformation solves various challenges across industries. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with digitization in the comments section below.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/building-management/2019/02/12/where-is-the-evidence-that-digitization-is-indeed-working/feed/0Electric Utilities: Ready for an All Electric World?https://blog.schneider-electric.com/electricity-companies/2019/02/04/electric-utilities-ready-for-an-all-electric-world/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/electricity-companies/2019/02/04/electric-utilities-ready-for-an-all-electric-world/#commentsMon, 04 Feb 2019 20:14:53 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=54581The year 2018 was a critical one for the global energy transition agenda with global consensus finally emerging for an All Electric world. Consider these key developments in 2018: The... Read more »

]]>The year 2018 was a critical one for the global energy transition agenda with global consensus finally emerging for an All Electric world.

Consider these key developments in 2018:

The “Future is Electric” was one of the new topics of the World Energy Outlook from the International Energy Agency.

Shell unveiled a new scenario (“Sky”) towards an All Electric and decarbonized future.

The European Commission updated its climate policy agenda with key proposals towards a much larger electric and renewable mix of the energy system.

The EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) in the United States built around the critical benefits of an All Electric world.

Finally, the subject was deliberated upon at the World Economic Forum which concluded recently.

The rationale for an All Electric world is clear and I explained it in a previous blog. Clean electrification and energy efficiency, combined, enable faster decarbonization. It also improves overall system efficiency. The All Electric world is also different: more electric, but also more decentralized as it is powered by distributed renewable energy sources and storage systems.

While global consensus on energy transition takes shape, it is timely for us to review some of the key challenges facing this All Electric world.

Four key challenges to tackle in an All Electric world

Reinventing Base Load

As the load profile evolves over the course of a day, base load corresponds to the minimum power which is permanently required by the system. The invasion of renewable energies on the network is critically changing the base load paradigm, because of their zero-marginal cost of operation. As their share progresses in the overall mix, current ways of pricing base load, as well as the competitiveness of base load units are being challenged.

Flexibility, the new “Gold” of power systems

Current power systems already require a certain degree of flexibility. In some regions, the volume of demand can double over the course of the day. Flexible capacity (particularly peak units) provides for it while transmission and distribution systems are designed to cope with peak demand. The result, however, is the large under-utilization of power assets. This sub-optimal situation is aggravated by the rise of renewable energies, mainly solar (an effect widely known as the “duck” curve). The need for peak management could double in certain regions as a result. In addition, the further penetration of intermittent renewable energies also increases the uncertainty on the balance between generation and demand (up to 4 times the current levels), leading to more standby backup solutions to be deployed (and paid for). Flexibility (or its lack of) will thus play a critical role as renewable energies grow in share of the overall power mix.

Growing concerns on system stability

Current power systems operate with rotating machines synchronized across the network. The inherent inertia of these machines provides for the stability of the system. Renewable energy systems, on the other hand, do not provide for such stability. The responsibility of utilities in ensuring system stability will thus become increasingly complex, as the share of renewable energies grows.

A new CapEx equation

The transition to an All Electric world is causing a significant transfer of CapEx spend — from other forms of energies to power (some sources estimate that as much as 30% of CapEx should shift from oil and gas to power over the next two decades). In addition, while OpEx costs are the primary drivers of conventional generation unit costs, it is CapEx which defines those of renewable (and nuclear) energies. The equation of power markets is thus dramatically evolving, with an order of magnitude of difference in CapEx requirements, fundamentally transforming balance sheets as well as attracting more private funding from new sources (corporate, communities, etc.).

Electric Utilities around the world are working hard to better manage these challenges. On one hand, traditional giants such as Enel — Italy’s largest power company and Europe’s second listed utility for installed generation capacity, are adopting digital solutions to manage their distribution systems most effectively by optimizing voltage profile and enabling peak sharing.

On the other, smaller and nimble utilities such as SICAE Somme & Cambraisis, one of France’s regional electricity companies supplying power to rural communities, are digitizing their operations to, among others, optimize the use of renewable energy and meet network stability requirements.

Three key transformations in the new world of Electric Utilities

These key challenges are dramatically changing the landscape for Electric Utilities. Yet, they create a realm of new opportunities, for those who embrace change.

From commodity supply to availability insurance

As the whole energy system is getting more decentralized, and because there is no marginal cost from renewable energies (therefore weakening the ability to effectively “price” the commodity), the value chain of Electric Utilities will need to evolve away from pure energy delivery, towards ensuring more power availability and flexibility (through services) in a complex interconnected network of decentralized energy resources.

From consumer to prosumer engagement

Most of the transformation will need to happen on the demand side, at the consumers’ location – behind the meter. This is where the greatest potential for flexibility, efficiency and increased resiliency can be tapped. This will lead to new business engagement models between the energy provider, service provider and those who will become prosumers – actively engaged in the management of both their energy consumption and the generation of it. Retail power markets will evolve towards greater granularity – in time, geography, and services – to enable widescale optimization of the system. Customer engagement will therefore rank on top of the agenda for most Electric Utilities going forward.

There is a fast-emerging group of prosumers globally. Montgomery County in Maryland, United States, is one of them. Bordering Washington, D.C., with over 1 million people, the County decided to install microgrids after a devastating storm left a trail of destruction – including over 250,000 residents and 71 county facilities without power for days. Today, the microgrids deliver resilient and efficient energy, without budgetary pressure or operational risk.

From network maintenance to system orchestration

In this new decentralized and intermittent energy system which is fast taking shape, the distribution network will become way more complex. It will be a network of energy highways with traffic (energy) flowing in multiple directions. At the same time, it will be supporting an even more complex set of energy transactions between various actors. The role of utilities will evolve from maintaining the physical network (cable, substations), towards orchestrating both the physical (energy) and virtual (retail, services) worlds.

A bright future lies for those Electric Utilities who will actively embrace the All Electric world journey towards a more electric, decentralized, decarbonized, and digitized energy system. Click here to read more on how utilities around the world are successfully implementing solutions to address the energy challenge.

Further reference: The New World of Utilities, Petit V. Springer Publishing. (2018)

]]>Microgrids are highly localized distribution systems that connect one or more distributed energy resources (DERs) with multiple loads. They can operate independently from a larger utility grid, without service interruption, and are often used for extended periods of time. These systems are now breaking out of the pilot-application stage and becoming a more common presence on college campuses and military bases, in office parks and even in urban neighborhoods. For utilities interested in creating new relationships with their customers, microgrids offer an innovative approach to supporting local reliability while aiding their own efforts of demand-response, tariff management and emergency-recovery.

Because no two power distribution systems or customers are exactly alike, microgrids are often highly customized, but they generally fall into one of four loose categories, depending on who owns them and how they connect to the main grid:

Grid-connected facility microgrids serve single-owner facilities, such as a commercial building or corporate-owned data center, where main grid reliability isn’t adequate or where a utility is offering load-shedding price incentives or the possibility to save money on your energy bill thanks to time-of-use tariffs. Equipment and operations might be managed by an independent service provider.

Grid-connected community microgrids serve multiple consumers and producers in such settings as multi-tenant business campuses, green villages and even small municipalities. Here, goals might include optimizing energy costs, boosting resiliency and integrating more renewable energy sources. District administrators manage these microgrids, maximizing consumption of locally produced energy and taking opportunity of the scale effect for negotiating participation in incentive and curtailment programs with electricity companies and third-party commercial aggregators.

Off-grid facility microgrids are mainly developed by independent power producers, through bid-based contracts with both public utilities and private entities. Globally, this is the most common microgrid arrangement now operating, serving remote areas – such as military bases, isolated mines or industrial sites and off-grid resorts – where utility connections aren’t available.

Off-grid community microgrids serve remote community and island locations, bringing together multiple assets – often including a high percentage of renewable solar and wind generation – to support vital community services. Today these systems often replace or supplement diesel generators, and so help to minimize fuel dependency, while also cutting costs and reducing pollution. The most common application domain is the rural electrification in countries who intend to rapidly develop access to energy.

All these microgrid applications offer electricity companies new options for growing relationships with both new and existing customers. That pushes them to develop new customer-oriented service business models. In the end, it’s a win-win situation where utilities, prosumers and service providers work together to reach better outcomes: increased resilience, reliability, efficiency and sustainability.

As Schneider Electric’s new report, “Digital Grid Unleashed” outlines, such a shift can pose new challenges – but it also presents new opportunities for growth. Download this report now to learn more about how utilities are responding – and succeeding – in today’s increasingly decarbonized, digitized and decentralized energy systems.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/electricity-companies/2019/01/17/microgrids-help-electricity-companies-meet-evolving-customer-needs/feed/0How to Prevent Breakdowns on Your Electrical Distribution Infrastructure with a Good Monitoring Systemhttps://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/01/10/how-to-prevent-breakdowns-on-your-electrical-distribution-infrastructure-with-a-good-monitoring-system/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/01/10/how-to-prevent-breakdowns-on-your-electrical-distribution-infrastructure-with-a-good-monitoring-system/#respondThu, 10 Jan 2019 11:09:36 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=53624Ensuring the good functionality of electrical distribution infrastructure in the industry is one of the top priorities if you want your business to keep running without breakdowns. Problems are usually... Read more »

]]>Ensuring the good functionality of electrical distribution infrastructure in the industry is one of the top priorities if you want your business to keep running without breakdowns. Problems are usually discovered too late resulting in operational losses and expensive urgent maintenance that exposes your employees to critical risks. Now, there is a way to avoid all these setbacks; embracing new technologies and going beyondreactive maintenance. Digital Transformation is in the core of most of the business: adapt or perish.

Thanks to the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), we have new condition-based monitoring services that are continuously sending data to a Service Bureau where a group of experts analyzes asset health to anticipate downtime and manage possible risk. Therefore, we go from the reactive maintenance to preventive and now, even predictive maintenance. The set up for both systems follows the same simple road: connect, collect, analyze and take action.

Why do we need monitoring?

Electrical equipment failures cost millions in damage and lost business every year. The good news is, that more than two-thirds of electrical system failures can be prevented by scheduling a good maintenance program. According to a study published by the insurance company Hartford Steam Boiler, the failure rate of electrical equipment is three times higher for components that are not part of a scheduled preventive maintenance program as compared with those that are.

The value proposition

The goal is to ensure employees protection and secure operational excellence. Imagine that we can predict when an incident could happen in the future even before there are any visible indications of a problem… No need to imagine, this is already happening. Predictive services for electrical distribution infrastructure is a reality thanks to artificial intelligence and advanced analytics that identifies potential threats. How? A group of highly qualified experts and engineers from a Service Bureau use Machine Learning technology to monitor your asset health and provide early alarming for future failures and also create personalized reports for your specific equipment. It allows companies to achieve financial efficiency by having better control of the energy, performance and operation budget.

React to emergencies in the fastest and efficient way

What IIOT is achieving is remarkable. Now, what would you feel about preventing breakdowns happening when a critical incident is detected? Preventive services allow you to monitor your electrical distribution assets and get real-time data, to your mobile or fixed device. This enables you to schedule your equipment maintenance based on the regular analytical reports created automatically to minimize breakdowns and prevent unplanned behavior. How can you get all these inputs? That’s simple, just connect your critical asset to the Cloud to start continuous monitoring and access live data about your equipment performance on your smartphone. You can get notifications with smart alarming in case of emergency to increase safety operational continuity and, with all that information, you can leverage and act.

In Schneider Electric we have all of this functionality in one offer: EcoStruxure Asset Advisor. We combine the best technological platform with our expertise in all field services areas. Our engineers are working from Service Bureaus applying their knowledge to see the maintenance that best suits your installations, helping you protect not only your assets, but also your employees.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2019/01/10/how-to-prevent-breakdowns-on-your-electrical-distribution-infrastructure-with-a-good-monitoring-system/feed/0What Is Field Service Management?https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/08/what-is-field-service-management/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/08/what-is-field-service-management/#respondTue, 08 Jan 2019 14:17:04 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=53801Field services is an umbrella term that consists of multiple services offered to industry for seamless functioning. Industries that have modern day infrastructure and machinery are more prone to breakdown.... Read more »

]]>Field services is an umbrella term that consists of multiple services offered to industry for seamless functioning. Industries that have modern day infrastructure and machinery are more prone to breakdown. To optimise the operations, one needs to have field services in place.

While talking about field services, one largely refers to services like:

Repair: If equipment is broken or a machine does not perform the required tasks, a service technician makes a field visit to solve the problem, or the machine is sent to the service centre.

Maintenance: Maintenance is done to ensure that the parts that can undergo any wear and tear are in place. It is the preventive part of Field Service. In order to prevent any breakdown in the machinery, certain activities are performed such as replacing wear parts and performing inspections. Inspection and servicing on regular intervals help to minimise breakdowns and operational downtime due to any shortcomings in the machine. There are three types of maintenance field service:

Preventive: Keeping a regular routine check will avoid any sudden or serious breakdown. The service providing company schedules these preventive maintenance visits based on working and statistics of specific parts of the machine and extent to which they are used. Using accumulated data, they can estimate the best time for replacements to avoid serious operational problems.

Predictive: Predictive maintenance can be installed in an industrial setup to avoid an unwanted breakdown in the machinery. It works on the basis of data provided by machine sensors and SCADA Systems.

Corrective: If a machine, equipment or device does not work to irs capacity, it calls for corrective maintenance. In this case, the service provider sends a field service technician who will assess the issue and perform the necessary amends or take it to the service centre.

Installation and commissioning: Complex machinery needs assistance in installation and initiation. For heavy duty machines, the technician runs a series of tests to make sure the equipment is fully operational and yields the required output.

Schneider Electric India offers a complete set of services from design studies to modernisation. It also offers automation training for employees to induce them to the domain of automated machinery, HMI analytics and helps them understand the functioning of the machine. The aim is to help in maximising the output from the existing business infrastructure. In addition to the traditional services they also offer detailed reporting, testing and analytics of system and the related components. The services have largely contributed to reducing the OpEx, lowered down the operational costs through data centres. It has upscaled what the industry could deliver in consideration to the product or service, employees and the end user.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/08/what-is-field-service-management/feed/0Why field services are important in business lifecycles?https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/03/why-field-services-are-important-in-business-lifecycles/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/03/why-field-services-are-important-in-business-lifecycles/#respondThu, 03 Jan 2019 12:50:15 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=53711For every organisation, Field Service management and automation training are both essential to get their processes in place and attain success with complete optimisation. However, to understand this process from... Read more »

]]>For every organisation, Field Service management and automation training are both essential to get their processes in place and attain success with complete optimisation. However, to understand this process from the ground up, one has to be an expert in this field. This is where the concept of employee training comes into play.

There are various reasons why field services and automation training are required in a business lifecycle. A few reasons are listed below:

Infrastructure Maintenance

For every organisation, managing their building is crucial. Right from the energy consumed to the ageing infrastructure, the maintenance and operation of the building – keeping in mind all the major factors – is a challenge. With the help of field services, engineers who have prior experience and expertise in this area can bring down operating costs and efforts. They keep an eye on the operating cost and energy savers to maintain the proper functioning of the building.

For a sound and technical success

In an organisation, there are various departments that cost a substantial amount and also require timely maintenance. For example, power systems, cooling systems, and other data collection systems are taken care of by experienced field service experts. Their expertise helps in providing solutions to the most critical data centres without any problems.

Upgradation

Automation experts know the value of automation services in your organisation and provide their expertise to upgrade the system that already exists. Their extensive industry expertise can benefit employees by educating them about the importance of automation training.

In-Control Budget

Field Service Management can help you operate efficiently while still letting you optimise your budget. An expert in FSM can help you lay down the whole process from the ground-up and yield the maximum output with a minimal budget. Their expertise in machine control helps in streamlining the business processes and will help in handling the highly complex tasks at hand.

All the reasons mentioned above are good enough to understand the importance of field service management in an organisation. Field services are beneficial in maintaining the organisation right from the ground level to the tasks like the maintenance of distribution management systems. The optimization of these solutions help in promoting a smooth business lifecycle.

]]>https://blog.schneider-electric.com/services/2019/01/03/why-field-services-are-important-in-business-lifecycles/feed/0New Energy Dynamics Call for New Solutions at Homehttps://blog.schneider-electric.com/residential/2018/12/17/new-energy-dynamics-call-for-new-solutions-at-home/
https://blog.schneider-electric.com/residential/2018/12/17/new-energy-dynamics-call-for-new-solutions-at-home/#commentsTue, 18 Dec 2018 02:08:22 +0000https://blog.schneider-electric.com/?p=53470You’re leaving on vacation, an hour into your drive, and it suddenly hits you: did you forget to turn off the stove? Years ago, you would have had to go... Read more »

]]>You’re leaving on vacation, an hour into your drive, and it suddenly hits you: did you forget to turn off the stove?

Years ago, you would have had to go back to check. But not today.

Thanks to the advent of smart technology, you can determine the status of your home’s devices in seconds, right from your phone.

Digitization is changing the way we interact with our homes. It’s now possible to see where our energy comes from, how we access it, how much we’ve used, and how much it’s costing us. In addition, linear plant-to-plug energy distribution is giving way to multi-source and decentralized networks. It’s a major paradigm shift, and it can get complicated.

Consider these developments:

Solar power is growing rapidly as a new source of energy in addition to utility-generated energy, especially in the United States, Germany, and Australia.

More than 1.2 million homes in California are solar panel-equipped;1 after code changes in 2020, all new homes will have solar capability.2

The price of solar and renewables is achieving parity with grid power in several countries as electricity prices rise and solar costs decrease.

Rising grid tariffs are accelerating solar adoption.

The adoption of batteries combined with solar installation is approaching 30 percent.

More game changers

Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs are another new complicating factor for homeowners. Utility power rates can now vary throughout the day based on demand. Consumers need to understand how these rates affect them and change their behaviors accordingly if they wish to avoid higher energy costs. In the United States, 14 million homes will move to TOU tariffs by 2020.3

Electric vehicles (EVs) are an additional energy game-changer. If you charge your Tesla at home, it could drive up your energy consumption by as much as 40 percent!

Finally, as a growing number of people choose to age in their homes – by 2035, the number of people age 65 or older in the United States will reach 80 million4 – there is an increasing need for always-on power for critical medical equipment such as oxygen and dialysis machines.

An intelligent approach to smart devices

Smart, connected devices are the solution for monitoring the multiple energy streams that are now flowing in and out of our homes. These devices enable us to control thermostats, appliances, lighting, security systems, and more. Problem is, smart devices all come with their own app, which can get confusing and cumbersome to manage. Isn’t there a way to get the smart, digital control we want in a centralized, easy-to-use solution?

The answer is yes. In the United States, the next generation of the Wiser Energy solution delivers digital energy management to any home while simplifying homeowners’ lives.

Wiser Energy is a fully open system, able to interact with multiple different platforms. Whether you’re asking Alexa or Google how your entire electrical system is operating or simply looking to monitor your smart thermostats, lighting, or electrical outlets, Wiser Energy is designed to respond to the wide range of dynamic smart home environments.

Customizable alerts allow you to interact with Wiser Energy in the manner that you choose and with a growing pool of integrated smart home devices. And the solution is designed to grow with you. You can add functionality as you choose, based on what’s important to you.

Most important, only Wiser Energy lets you monitor your smart home – both connected and non-connected devices – with a single app.

Manage your home like never before

Wiser Energy measures energy usage within your home and transforms that data into truly powerful tools.

With Wiser Energy, you can:

Know what’s happening within your home from anywhere. If you leave for work and forget to turn off your stove, your Wiser Energy solution will notify you.

Have a reliable, noninvasive way to check on elderly loved ones and make sure all is well.

Optimize the net energy of your home; for solar and battery installations, there is a Wiser Energy solar edition.

Manage your TOU by tracking both energy consumption and generation, allowing you to determine the best time to do laundry or turn on the pool pump.

Schneider Electric developed the Wiser Energy solution in partnership with Sense, a Boston-based home energy monitoring company. Sense’s disaggregation technology uses machine learning to identify the unique signature of electronic devices to determine their real-time status and energy usage.

Installers love us, too

Schneider Electric knows that labor is tight in the United States. That’s why creating products that are easy to install is at the core of our design philosophy. Wiser Energy solutions can be installed in as few as 15 minutes.

Wiser hardware fits into existing electrical panels. With utility rate information built in, Wiser solutions translate kilowatt hours into dollars, allowing homeowners to pinpoint where they are spending money and take measures to lower their bill. Energy savings of up to 20 percent are possible, especially if the home has electric heat.